The state is urging people who encounter potentially hazardous marine debris along the Washington coast to use its toll-free reporting and information line, 1-855-WACOAST (1-855-922-6278).
People also are encouraged to remove and dispose of small nonhazardous debris items such as Styrofoam, plastic bottles or other portable objects.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) encourages beachgoers and boaters, if possible, to take photos of marine debris suspected to be from the Japanese tsunami, to note the location, and to email the information to DisasterDebris@noaa.gov. If an item appears to have sentimental value to those who owned it, NOAA requests people move the item to a safe place before emailing information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  January 30, 2013
13-002-MDNR

Marine debris item found in Seaview being examined

SEAVIEW, WASH.  State officials are examining a large, metal cylinder that washed ashore Monday at Cape Disappointment State Park to determine if it came from Japan as a result of being swept out to sea by the 2011 tsunami.

As a precaution, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife official will check it for potential invasive species. A Washington Department of Health official examined the cylinder Tuesday and, as expected, found no radioactive contamination above normal background levels.

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Media Contact: Virginia Painter, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, (360) 902-8562, Virginia.Painter@parks.wa.gov.
For more information:
 People who want to keep abreast of new marine debris developments in Washington State can sign up for an information listserv established by the state. To sign up, go to Ecology's Listserv page and choose marine/tsunami debris.

 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) remains the best source for information about Japan tsunami marine debris including modeling, protocols to follow for handling marine debris and frequently asked questions. Go to marinedebris.noaa.gov/tsunamidebris/

 NOAA is collecting information about tsunami debris and asks the public to report debris sightings to DisasterDebris@noaa.gov. Please include the time, date, location and, if possible, photographs in such reports.